Paterson officials say the city is preparing to resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after federal regulators ended its pause.

Paterson distributed thousands of doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine before the distribution was halted.

The CDC paused distribution of the vaccine after six women developed life-threatening blood clots after receiving the inoculation. 

Now, the CDC and FDA announce an end to the halt saying the benefits outweigh the risks. 100 people are signed up to receive the vaccine at the family-owned pharmacies.

Mayor Andre Sayegh says while there haven't been any reports of adverse side effects in the city, residents became concerned after federal agencies suspended the use of it.

Some Paterson pharmacies were also not able to give vaccinations because of the pause.

International High School has still been able to vaccinate as many as 1,000 people a day using the Moderna vaccine.

Mayor Sayegh received his own dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine three weeks ago. He says he feels comfortable resuming its use in Paterson.

"I trust the CDC, I trust the FDA. I think they erred on the side of caution when they put everything on pause, and now allowing us to resume using these vaccines, I believe that's the right move," he says.

The mayor says the city will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at pop-up sites, for the homeless population, those in recovery and for those who are homebound starting mid-week.

Sayegh says he has noticed a decline in the demand for COVID-19 vaccines raising the question of how many will get the J&J vaccine once it becomes available. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it will begin ordering shipments of the vaccine so they should be available starting next week.